From the Bookshelf of Mock Newbery 2026…
Find A Copy At
Group Discussions About This Book
No group discussions for this book yet.
What Members Thought
Zulaikha has never questioned her traditional Afghan life. She does as she is told, taking care of house work and her little brothers, and she dreams of someday being a good and faithful wife even though her cleft lip makes her less desireable than her beautiful sister, Zeynab. Then, the unthinkable happens. American soldiers arrive in her small village. Her family meets the arrival with excitement and trepidation. Americans act too familiar with strangers, and don't seem to have a lot of respec
...more
I read this free download with my ears and found the ending to be a bit abrupt leading me to think that the recording was incomplete. There was no author's note read by the author so I have to grab the book and read that. This is a compelling story, aching really. Lots of little details that are extraordinary. The narrator was fabulous. I have some quibbles about the medical aspects but they are minor.
...more
I picked this book up at a Scholastic book fair a while ago. I finally got around to reading it. The book is about a young girl from Afghanistan. I am very unfamiliar with that part of the world so I learned a bit of the oppression of their women. This book, while showing the hardships of the womens' lives, also offers the hope that education can bring and the joy of reading.
...more
mock newbery blog - Really good look at life in Afghanistan for girls and their family. Slow start, but couldn't put it down at the end. Okay for 6th.
...more
Apr 11, 2011
Denise
added it
May 20, 2011
Lisa Nagel
marked it as to-read
Sep 11, 2011
Cathy Blackler
marked it as to-read
Jan 18, 2012
Kimberley Little
marked it as to-read
Dec 23, 2013
Patricia Vermillion
marked it as to-read
Apr 24, 2023
Books_the_Magical_Fruit
marked it as to-read
